RA and throat issues

Looking for some help again :)

I have had a throat discomfort while swallowing for the last 4 weeks. I am wondering if this could be related to RA.  

It all started the day before I got my prednisone. I felt a slight discomfort while swallowing in the left side of my throat. When I took the presnisone it helped with the discomfort but I would still wake up with discomfort. I just thought it was a basic sore throat problem. Then two weeks later when I still had it, I went to urgent care because my primary was out on vacation. The urgent care doc said it was just an infection and gave me arethromicyn (sp) antibiotic and it helped for two days then the pain came back. Some days the discomfort is pretty bad, some days I can barely feel it. So, I went to see my primary a week after I went to urgent care and he said the antibiotic is still working and it is probably nothing as I did not have pain from touch or any lumps in my neck. It still was discomforting while swallowing though. So, I let it go another week and a half until I saw my primary doc on thursday morning. He again examined me and found nothing unusual. No pain in my throat from touching it and no lumps but still hurts when swallowing. He said it could possibly be a localized infection and he set up an appointment with a ENT (ear, nose, throat) doctor so I can find out for sure.

My worst fear is Cancer but something tells me it is not cancer because I would probably have intense pain. I think it could be the RA affecting me. After I take the Pred, the pain is eased considerably when swallowing. I also understand that taking these meds make it very hard to fight off infections. I am wondering if anyone here has had a infection last longer than 4 weeks.

Has anyone here ever heard of having RA affecting their throat?

I am scared more than anything. I hope it is nothing too serious. :(

I also have had a scratchy/sore throat since starting Prednisone. It comes and goes, sometimes I lose my voice. Its not bad enough of a side effect to make me quit the Prednisone. This drug had made me be able to functiion. Right now I don't any joint pain or swelling. My bloodwork came back and my SED rate is now normal! I have increased drinking tea and suck on a hard candy when my throat is bothering me. I am concerned about catch a virus as I work with children. Hope it nothing serious.
NanMac

just a side note here:
it is possible to have arthritis of the vocal chords & larynx/pharynx...just another inflammatory issue.
but Zeek...do keep your appt. better to have it checked. it could be nothing, or could be something treatable.
did ya start any new meds for RA...many leave a person susceptable to "everything"....in the beginning when i started immunosuppression therapy, swollen glands and sore throat was a constant.

please take good care. it was really nice to hear from you again!
do keep us posted on how your ENT appt goes.
erin

I had a horrible time with cryptic tonsilitis. I literally begged the ENT to take out my tonsils and all I got was a script for antibiotics. I was scheduled to return in three weeks. Instead, I was back again complaining of severe pain in 4 days. Finally, the ENT agreed that I had a problem and scheduled surgery to remove my tonsils. Little did we know that the increase in pain was due to a cold coming on. We had to postpone surgery for a week while I recovered.

I still have some recurring throat pain, but it's not nearly as bad as while I still had those tonsils.

 

Interesting subject Zeekman.  Thanks for posting it.  Now I know that I'm not the only one.

Yes, I have had infections last more than 4 weeks.  Sometimes if the antibiotic doesn't do it's job, I then need another 10-14 day treatment.

I have had a sore spot on the left side of my throat also for a few months now.  My GP checked my throat and ears but found nothing wrong.  This sore spot comes and goes.  It also feels like I have a swollen gland on my left side of the throat occasionally.  I've been on Pred for 6 years.

I found this on Drugs.com.  Take note in the Severe side effects column:

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/prednisone-side-effects.html

Some causes of sore throats:

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/tc/sore-throat-topic-overview

I hadn't mentioned my sore throat to my Rheumy since it comes and goes.  I did mention it to my Nurse since the side of my throat was sore at the time but she didn't say it could be from RA.

 

I have also had a sore throat for the past 5 weeks. Been diagnosed with RA for a year now. Quick onset of severe joint pain. Cant complete my work requirements anymore. What next?

Cricoarytenoid arthritis (RA in the larynx) is actually quite a common finding and has been mentioned in medical literature since the late 1800s. It is a common post portem finding and estimated that up to 80% of RA patients may have this.

Cricoarytenoid arthritis can present as a sore throat, dysphagia (trouble swallowing), dry cough (persistent), dysphagia (choking on food or water), dysphonia (change in voice--think weakness
or aphonia (loss of voice). Shortness of breath may occur as well.

This was one of my first symptoms, appearing about two years prior to dx with dysphagia, dysphonia and aphonia. I nearly had to leave my job as a critical care RN due to this symptom, as I lost my voice about half way through my 13 hour shift at least 2 times a week. I was choking on food and water as well, but had no pain. I had pretty significant shortness of breath as well. No pattern to it...at rest...with activity...just happened alot. Sometimes it woke me up at night. I had a full MS work up because of this symptom (my mom has MS). I was actually pretty relieved to discover that it was RA rather than MS.

Generally cricoarytenoid arthritis gets somewhat better with treatment of your RA. Mine is still present despite multiple medications, albeit slightly better now. (For reference I take high dose Mtx, Prednisone, Sulfasalazine, Plaquenil, and Rituxan infusion).

You can see an ENT (ear nose throat) doctor to have this evaulated with a fiberoptic scope. It's not a pleasant test, but usually will the doctor can see if this is your problem. Some people with RA end up having steroids injected into their vocal chords for this symptom, which can be helpful. There is a slight risk with this symptom of vocal parallyzed chords, which could require tracheostomy temporarily.

This is a symptom that you should mention to your anethiosologist any time you have surgery. Some RA patients develop stridor post op (after they are extubated--breathing tube out) and require tracheostomy. This can be temporary or permanent, but usually only the case in long standing cases of severe RA. Again, in a case like this, steroid injection would be helpful.

For minor sore throat...I wouldn't worry too much. It's just good to know what to watch for.

Crystal,
Welcome to the healing well forum. So sorry that you may have RA on top of your throat issues. Are you also having a lot of joint issues? Are you taking any medications yet?
When my kids were young I also had recurring strep throat. The ENT was reluctant to take out my tonsils because it is so hard on adults and some real dangers involved. Eventually I built up an immunity and haven't had strep for many years, despite working at a school and being around grandkids.
Keep us posted about your ent appt and RA dx. You.might want to start your own thread so members will see that you have joined us.
Best wishes!
Beth

WOW Crystal, that is a scary thing! Please let us know. We are here to support you!
Beth

Hi all. So I had my tonsils out last Friday (I'm on day 6 recovery) They said strep tonsillitis 3 times in a year is cause to take them out and I had 7. So They did another round of antibiotics before the surgery for 7 days and the surgery was scheduled for 10 days after my first appointment but of course the antibiotics didn't work and they were still infected. Anyways my question is to any adult that has had their tonsils out I have heard some say you should start eating more solid foods by day six or seven to help the scabs come off and I still haven't been eating even soft foods much (not much appetite)maybe one time a day a little bit of oatmeal. I have been staying extremely hydrated. I would like to know opinions if it is best to eat a little bit more solid food at this time or if I'm okay just keeping hydrated. They weren't very informative at the hospital before I was released and what they said did contradict what my doctor said the form didn't really say much at all and he hasn't replied to my emails. I really need to know the best plan. Thank you!!